Ratto: Belt doesn't throw wrench in Giants' roster … yet

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March 28, 2011RATTO ARCHIVEGIANTS PAGEGIANTS VIDEO
Ray RattoCSNBayArea.com

Brandon Belts big day was not Monday against As lefthander Brett Anderson; hed done that March 5 in Scottsdale and singled to right.Its not going to be Thursday in Los Angeles, either. His ticket to the big club was punched when Cody Ross strained his calf, and he will likely be the starting first baseman against Clayton Kershaw in the Dodger Stadium twilight.Although, when you think about it, that might not be the optimal setting for such a significant debut.No, the real issue comes down the line, when Ross leg is healed and he returns to active duty. Thats when the thorns come out and Brian Sabeans hands get all cut up and bloodied.Ross injury allowed the Giants to delay the hard call on their Buster 2.0. His loss made Belts inclusion at Dodger Stadium a fait accompli, and the Giants decision not to announce it before Thursdays 9 a.m. deadline is simply a what-happens-if-the-Mayans-are-right-and-the-planet-blows-up prudence.Thus, either backup backup first baseman Travis Ishikawa and backup right fielder Nate Schierholtz are safe as well, the 13th spot on the everyday player section of the roster. The Giants are toying with starting the season with 11 pitchers if Brian Wilson isnt ready, but toying is a long way from deciding.In other words, the fun starts when Ross finishes his expected rehab assignment in Fresno and is pronounced pure and whole again, or as pure and whole as a 30-year-old outfielder can be.If Belt performs as Posey did and nothing else dramatic changes, the Giants will doubtless have to choose between Schierholtz and the 23 million and change left on Aaron Rowands contract. Schierholtz doesnt have a lot of measurable trade value at this point, but neither does Rowand, thus reducing the realistic choices to those two.If Belt performs as Posey did and Sabean still cant eat Rowands salary, that leaves Schierholtz as the odd man out, thus burning depth at two positions for Belt. But if Belt struggles as Adrian Gonzalez did with Florida and Texas before Bochy got him in San Diego, the decision gets more convoluted.The Giants keep saying he is as strong mentally as Posey, but Posey hasnt struggled for any extended period yet. Belt may, because of his limited experience and because his home park has the most capacious layout in right and right-center field in major league baseball. He may drive a lot of well-struck balls right into gloves and find the experience a drag.Thus, if he gets sent back down to Fresno to purge his soul, the decision is delayed yet again. SchierholtzRowand are reprieved again.But if he struggles and doesnt go down, the chaos will be properly delicious. The Giants of 2010 were built on the precept that performance determines play, and if you doubt that, see Pablo Sandovals at-bats in the postseason. Plus, they dont have enough offense to carry an out at such an important position.At that point, logic fairly screams that Schierholtz would be the one to be released. Logic, of course, being another word for, The reason why you made that decision that made God laugh.In short, D-Day is not Thursday. It is somewhere out in the ether, determined by Cody Ross gastrocnemius muscle. When it happens, there will be action, but youll have to be patient awhile longer.

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